Cherry Blossom Serendipity

By Zelda Benjamin

A chance meeting lands dating columnist Lexi Anderson an invitation to the most sought-after D.C. event. Seeking inspiration for her spring column, she agrees to accompany an older gentleman she met at the Vietnam Memorial.
Everyone lets go at the Pink Tie Dinner. Navy Commander Steve MacDonald is no exception. He’s attracted to Lexi and disappointed she’s returning to New York in the morning. He makes a plan guaranteeing he’ll see her during New York’s Fleet Week.
Lexi has shared with her readers that she never gets involved with a man in uniform. When the magic of the evening disappears, will Lexi hold tight to her dating rule?

• Language: Unknown
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Jun 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9781509249756

Zelda Benjamin

Zelda Benjamin has always had a passion for storytelling. She's the author of the Love by Chocolate series. A former pediatric ER nurse, she now spends her free time baking and traveling with family. Combining her passions has led to many memorable experiences, whether it's the food, the culture or authentic lifestyles. You can find recipes and travel tips on her blog http://lovebychocolate.blogspot.com Visit her author page for more information about her books https://www.amazon.com/Zelda-Benjamin/e/B001JS8IPG

Book preview

Are you asking if there’s a man in my life? She suppressed a giggle. How many times had she answered the same question from Grandma Sarah’s well-meaning friends? Not at the moment. Are you interested? She didn’t see any harm in making a nice man feel good after his memories on the wall.

If I were only fifty years younger. He winked.

The wink, somewhere between a half-wink and a wrinkle, tilted his glasses. The expression reminded her of a lopsided pumpkin carving. She laughed. Are there any more like you, Sam, or did they throw away the mold?

I’ve got a couple of handsome grandsons. They’re all married except for one. He should have found the right girl by now, but he has too many excuses. He shook his head. All the men in my family have a few shortcomings, but nothing a good woman can’t fix. He glanced at her over the rim of his glasses and wiggled his brows. Are you interested?

Not at the moment. Dating was not high on her list. She was done with the New York bar scene, wouldn’t trust a computer to pick her soul mate, and wasn’t about to let a stranger fix her up with someone she never met.

Praise for Zelda Benjamin

CHERRY BLOSSOM SERENDIPITY is a great story of one’s history, memories and the ability to find love in an unexpected place. I was captured right from the beginning, all the way to the end. Very well written and detailed enough for me to picture the story around me.

~D. Parrish

~*~

A very nice read!! I was drawn to the main characters instantly. I love reading books that besides the storyline, the author shares history and teaches you new things. Highly recommend!

~M. Lehman

~*~

I absolutely loved the book! CHERRY BLOSSOM SERENDIPITY is a sweet romance with characters that are easily relatable. The story is a real page-turner.

~M. Schulman

~*~

CHERRY BLOSSOM SERENDIPITY is such a sweet romantic story. I loved the way the locations were described. Makes you feel like you’re there. The story is a quick easy read.

~SM

InD’Tale Magazine—Crowned Heart Winner

Cherry Blossom Serendipity

by

Zelda Benjamin

Jelly Beans and Spring Things Series

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Cherry Blossom Serendipity

COPYRIGHT © 2023 by Zelda Benjamin

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Tina Lynn Stout

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Edition, 2023

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-4975-6

Jelly Beans and Spring Things Series

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

Dedicated to my critique group. Thanks for the tea, chocolate, motivation, support, and, most of all, the friendships.

Chapter 1

Lexi stared at the reflections along the black-granite Vietnam Memorial wall. A picture-like image of a sunny day, lush lawns, and trees connected to the names of the lost. Silent and sad was how she remembered the wall from previous visits. Yet, unlike most of her generation, she recognized the wall as more than a part of history. Grandpa’s name was among the thousands engraved on the stone. Behind her, an open field afforded no protection from a cool morning breeze. She adjusted her scarf. The soft voice of a park ranger broke the silence.

The ranger explained to a group of tourists about the listings.

Inscriptions are listed in chronological order based on the date of casualty. He pointed to the top of the first panel. The wall continues to the west. Nineteen seventy-five is inscribed on the bottom of the last panel.

Her gaze followed the direction of his finger. Nineteen fifty-nine to nineteen seventy-five. Tears welled in her eyes. So many years, so many names. She stopped three-quarters of the way along the well-maintained stone path and searched for Grandpa’s name. To her right, the mirror image of a gray-haired man in wire-rimmed glasses stared back. The resemblance of the surrounding objects and people reflected on the wall was always impressive.

Good morning. The man’s lips tilted in a half smile. A beautiful day to be here. He waved past the wall toward a clear blue sky.

"Cherry blossom season is my favorite time to visit Washington, D.C." She studied the image of his wrinkled face and asymmetrical smile. Who was he here to remember? Even happy memories can make you sad.

It’s my favorite, too. The trees make a profound statement. He glanced over his shoulder toward the cherry blossom trees. "The Japanese believe the blossoms are a sign of renewal.

What a wonderful belief. She followed his glance. The pale pink blossoms were one of the feel-good things that made springtime her favorite season.

They also symbolize life and death. He shook his head and faced the wall. Their flowering time is short-lived. The blossoms, like the lives memorialized on the wall, represent life’s fleeting spirit. He placed a hand on her elbow. Enough rambling from an old man. Are you looking for someone special?

His low, soft voice resonated with kindness.

My grandpa, John. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and placed a finger on the name, John Anderson. It’s right here. She moved a palm across the smooth granite. When I was a little girl, I came here with Grandma Sarah. I’d skip along the wall and count the number of steps to reach the inscription. She faced the man with a kind face.

That’s a lovely sentiment. He smiled. Did you do that today?

When I was seven, skipping and counting out loud were cute. I’d look foolish now. She laughed. "What about you? Who are you here to remember?’

His smile vanished. "Sadly, young lady, I have too many names to see in a